tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743Sun, 05 Oct 2014 02:36:48 +0000TransportationBusinessEconomicsTourismEducationHealthRankingsSportsBlogsNatureUCFArtFilmPoliticsSpaceTechnologyInMagicNationOrlando, Florida: a dream in progress.http://www.inmagicnation.com/noreply@blogger.com (Bob)Blogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4555938937833365477Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:14:00 +00002008-12-13T01:27:59.847-05:00SportsDodgeball<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dy7lbq0LahE/SGFId3NiP6I/AAAAAAAAAAk/C2DtuXRuDuA/s1600-h/DodgeBall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Dy7lbq0LahE/SGFId3NiP6I/AAAAAAAAAAk/C2DtuXRuDuA/s400/DodgeBall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215529521345871778" /></a><br /><br />This sounds like a fun time! The Central Florida Boy Scouts will host a Corporate Dodgeball Tournament on Saturday, August 16th. More information is available at <a href="http://www.dodgeball.cfcbsa.org/">www.dodgeball.cfcbsa.org</a>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/dodgeball.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-8152007613633966339Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:59:00 +00002008-06-24T11:59:00.411-04:00EducationOrange, let us voteThe Orange County School Board will decide tonight whether or not to allow voters to decide if the position of School Board Chairman should be elected. The School Board previously refused to place the issue on the ballot, but a group called <a href="http://letusvoteorange.com/">Let Us Vote Orange</a> collected the necessary 51,411 petition signatures (10 percent of the registered voters in Orange County) to require a referendum vote. Four of the School Board members previously voted to file a lawsuit to block the vote. They will decide tonight whether or not to proceed with the lawsuit.<br /><br />Personally, I don't see why an elected Chairman is needed. I live in Seminole County, which has excellent public schools and manages just fine without an elected Chairman. But ultimately, the voters should decide, especially since the ballot measure was approved through a legitimate process. The School Board should stop its efforts to block the vote, and then the debate about its merit can begin.<br /><br />The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the School Board building. <a href="https://www.ocps.net/_layouts/viewDetails.aspx?list=dc6aa0ed-2665-44db-8d54-bdf62a0588f5&item=128">Click here</a> for more information.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orange-let-us-vote.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4422246537938483417Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:18:00 +00002008-06-24T08:23:06.036-04:00BusinessNo diversity under 40?The <span style="font-style:italic;">Orlando Business Journal</span> just published its annual <a href="http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/event/4241">40 Under 40</a> list, which recognizes 40 outstanding businessmen and woman under the age of 40. The list includes exceptional professionals, representative of the talent in Central Florida. But of the 40 honorees, only one is African-American. Surely Orlando is more diverse than that?http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-40-under-40.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4696504857164721914Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:39:00 +00002008-06-23T06:48:53.597-04:00UCFUCF orders fans to start drinking earlierThe <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-nodrink2208jun22,0,2146871.story">Orlando Sentinel</a></span> reported over the weekend that UCF will ban tailgate drinking after kick-off at football games. The idea is to encourage people to actually attend the game and to discourage non-fans from being on campus. That all sounds good to me. But what about after the game? Will tailgating after the game be allowed. The article didn't specifically address this question, but according to the new rule, it sounds like drinking will end after kick-off, period. <br /><br />As a side note, the Sentinel interviewed two students who were opposed to the new rule. The article stated both were 18 years old. Um, isn't there another law that they might want to debate?http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/ucf-orders-fans-to-start-drinking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-7214509694342107469Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:39:00 +00002008-06-19T08:39:01.913-04:00NatureTourismOrlando's best theme parkEvery year, millions of tourists come to Orlando to visit Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World, but almost all of them miss Central Florida's best park: <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/wekiwasprings/default.cfm">Wekiwa Springs State Park</a>. Located on the Wekiva* River, this park offers an escape from urban life and a glimpse into what Florida once looked like. I strongly believe that you haven't truly experienced Florida until you have taken a canoe or a kayak on one of its rivers. Canoeing on the Wekiva is something every Central Florida resident and visitor should experience (granted if that ever happened, the crowds would ruin the experience.) So if you haven't done so already, take a trip to Wekiwa Springs and enjoy the real Florida.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">* Don't ask me why, but the springs is spelled Wekiwa and the river is spelled Wekiva. </span>http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlandos-best-theme-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4472494092356435157Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:36:00 +00002008-06-18T07:36:01.307-04:00ArtPublic art in OrlandoThe <a href="http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/DEPT/countyadmin/arts/default.htm">Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs</a> office has come up with a unique way to promote awareness of public art in Central Florida. Tapping in to growing interest in <a href="http://www.letterboxing.org/">letterboxing</a>, they have hidden letter boxes* near public art locations throughout Orange County. the idea is to encourage letterboxers (is that what they're called) and art enthusiasts alike to search for the letter boxes*, thus also discovering some of the public art venues in the region. They've posted <a href="http://www.orangecountyfl.net/NR/rdonlyres/elpprmxdn4jq57dktuh2x6lup67q3j5phjlmdx6a4qlg4vcmbbthstlb2562uvi4jdcw336x34lfempi3qfu5dyuhgc/PublicArtCacheCluesandInfo.pdf">clues</a> online. Here's more info from their Web site:<blockquote>Public Art Treasure Caches<br />Find clues from this website to hidden caches near various sculptures and public art objects around the county. In each box is a journal where you can leave your mark and the date you found it. There is also a stamp that you can use to stamp your own journal or "public art" passport. After you have written in the journal, and drawn something or stamped it, put the cache back where you found it so the next person can have the pleasure of finding it and putting in their mark.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.orangecountyfl.net/NR/rdonlyres/elpprmxdn4jq57dktuh2x6lup67q3j5phjlmdx6a4qlg4vcmbbthstlb2562uvi4jdcw336x34lfempi3qfu5dyuhgc/PublicArtCacheCluesandInfo.pdf">Cache Instructions & Clues</a></blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">* Orange County is calling their letter boxes "Public Art Treasure Caches". There must be some legal reason for that.</span>http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/public-art-in-orlando_18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-824850328098490709Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:55:00 +00002008-06-16T05:55:00.686-04:00TransportationBlinkers & broken windowsWith increasing traffic congestion caused by an ever-growing population of residents and tourists, driving on Central Florida's roadways is bad enough without having to share the road with bad drivers. I drive on Interstate 4 every day, and I have noticed more and more people changing lanes without using their blinkers.<br /><br />What are they thinking? Perhaps that is the problem: They <span style="font-style:italic;">aren't</span> thinking. They aren't thinking of the other drivers. They aren't thinking about safety, and they especially are not thinking of the traffic jams they will cause when their dangerous behavior results in an automobile crash.<br /><br />Furthermore, I do believe that non-use of blinkers leads to a much bigger problem. Bad driving begins with not using directional signals, which eventually leads to habitual speeding, red-light running and aggressive driving. Not using a blinker helps create a culture in which safe driving is not valued and aggressive driving is increasingly permitted and pervasive.<br /><br />The non-blinker epidemic is similar to the "broken windows" theory developed by George Kelling and James Wilson of Harvard University. Kelling and Wilson theorized that if broken windows in any given neighborhood are not repaired in a timely manner, they will help create an environment of social disorder, which will provoke more vandalism and encourage other crimes.<br /><br />The theory was tested in the 1990s in New York City under the leadership of Mayor Rudy Giuliani, NYPD Chief William Bratton and David Gunn, head of the New York City Transit System. By strictly enforcing smaller crimes, such as subway-fare evasion, they created a culture of order. The result of their efforts was a dramatic decrease in the city's crime rate.<br /><br />Applying the same theory to I-4, I have come to the conclusion that people who do not use their blinkers are dangerous. Their inconsiderate driving creates social disorder, leading to more reckless driving, which causes high numbers of automobile crashes. And as every driver in Central Florida knows, car crashes produce severe traffic james. On the other hand, blinker use encourages a culture of safety and courtesy.<br /><br />Certainly, serious infractions such as impaired driving, red-light running and speeding deserve continued and increased enforcement, but a concerted effort to crack down on blinker violators could help restore order and safety to our roadways. As Malcolm Gladwell declares in his best-selling book, <span style="font-style:italic;">The Tipping Point</span>, "Little things can make a big difference." If every driver were to use directional signals every time when turning or changing lanes, I am convinced our roads would be safer and less congested.<br /><br />The next time you are driving on I-4 or any other road in the region, pay special attention to how may drivers do not use their blinkers. These people are rude, they are bad drivers, and they are to blame for many of the car cashes and traffic jams on our roads.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style:italic;">This was originally published in the Orlando Sentinel on September 6, 2005. I'm posting it here to give it an online home.</span>)http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/blinkers-broken-windows.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-446500966302068040Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:20:00 +00002008-06-13T16:29:51.589-04:00TechnologyGeek road tripOn his blog, <a href="http://news.cnet.com/Road-Trip-2008-Geek-Gestalt-explores-the-South/2009-13576_3-6240311.html">Geek Gestlat</a>, CNET News.com reporter Daniel Terdiman journals his Road Trip 2008, which included stops at various Orlando companies, including Lockheed Martin, Walt Disney World and Kennedy Space Center. He flew a <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-9967691-52.html?tag=blogFeed">simulated Apache helicopter</a> at Lockheed Martin and took a <a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-9966749-52.html?tag=blogFeed">Segway tour</a> at Epcot.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-road-trip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-2257617030093048519Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:13:00 +00002008-06-13T09:39:32.440-04:00SpaceEarth to Space FloridaFlorida's Space Coast is just a short drive from Orlando. In fact, many people who live in Orlando work in Brevard County, and vice versa. So the well-being of Florida's space industry very much has an impact on Central Florida.<br /><br />Which is why an <a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/investing/wire/sns-ap-space-shuttle-town,1,2065505.story">Associated Press article</a> today caught my attention. The article, by Travis Reed, discusses the retirement of the space shuttle program and its impact on communities around Cape Canaveral. <br /><br />Beyond Brevard County, the retiring of the space shuttle also will have a negative impact on the state's economy. Because of the shuttle, Florida is home to the best and the brightest in the space industry. If they move elsewhere when the shuttle retires (Texas, Arizona, China) they'll never come back. That's why the state funds <a href="http://www.spaceflorida.gov/">Space Florida</a>, the economic development agency responsible for sustaining Florida's aerospace dominance beyond the shuttle program. <br /><br />But Space Florida was not quoted or mentioned in the article. Maybe that was the reporter's fault, but it may also be Space Florida's fault. Either way, the state missed a great opportunity to communicate its message to audiences across the country. As of this posting, the AP article has been picked up by <a href="http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&tab=wn&ned=&q=%22the+countdown+has+begun+in+the+towns+that+run+on+the+space+program%27s+clock.%22&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d">more than 50 media outlets</a>, including <span style="font-style:italic;">LA Times</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Newsday</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Newsweek</span>, CNN, NPR, <span style="font-style:italic;">Chicago Tribune</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Houston Chronicle</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Miami Herald</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Forbes</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Philadelphia Inquirer</span>, <span style="font-style:italic;">Boston Globe</span> and our own <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/orl-bk-shuttle-retirement-061308,0,4419922.story">Orlando Sentinel</a></span>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/space-florida.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4555212779416004852Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:23:00 +00002008-06-12T16:31:32.920-04:00SportsUCFUCF's new baseball coachUCF just announced the hiring of <a href="http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061208aaf.html">Terry Rooney</a> as the new head baseball coach. Rooney comes to UCF from LSU, where he was associate head coach.<br /><br />Rooney has a reputation as a top recruiter. His 2007 recruiting class was selected as the top class in the nation by Collegiate Baseball magazine.<br /><br />This past season was a disappointment for the Knights. I hope Coach Rooney leads UCF baseball back to excellence and eventually to recognition as the best program in the NCAA.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/terry-rooney.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-531372040905423327Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:39:00 +00002008-06-11T11:05:08.921-04:00TourismTransportationFlorida needs commuter railBeth Kassab of the <span style="font-style:italic;">Orlando Sentinel</span> attended the <a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-commuter-rail.html">Regional Rally for Rail</a>. <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-kassab1108jun11,0,2456950.column">In her column today</a>, she wrote:<blockquote>"The idea is to get multiple regions in the state to join Central Florida's fight. The logic is this: If Central Florida loses, so do cities like Tampa and Jacksonville, which may also seek rail."</blockquote>This is very true. Commuter rail is not just an Orlando project. The entire state of Florida needs this system. <br /><br />As mentioned above, other cities in Florida need passenger rail service, too, and if the Central Florida commuter rail system dies, so does any chance those other cities will get a rail system in the future.<br /><br />But the importance of commuter rail extends beyond just the transportation needs of Tampa and Jacksonville. The future economic prosperity of the entire state depends on this project. Allow me to explain.<br /><br />Tourism is the foundation of Florida’s economy, and Orlando is the cornerstone. For years, tourism in Orlando has generated a windfall in sales tax revenue for the rest of the state. Yet this cash flow is under attack – not by this year’s budget crunch or by commuter rail – but by other global markets that seek to supplant Central Florida as the world's premier tourist destination. <br /> <br />In a global marketplace with increasing travel options, every advantage and disadvantage has an impact on the success or failure of a destination. Traffic congestion is a serious threat to the Orlando brand. <br /> <br />As the world gets flatter, vacationing in competing markets becomes easier for domestic and international tourists. And these markets are aggressively trying to take business from Florida (<a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-cvb.html">as we are from them</a>.) For example, the city of Dubai is planning to invest $15 billion in its infrastructure over the next five years. They have a global vision for the future. Compare that to Florida, where the <a href="http://www.fla-asce.org/">American Society of Civil Engineers</a> recently released a report stating that infrastructure investment in Florida is inadequate. <br /><br />If our competitors are upgrading their product and we are not, we will fall behind, and the entire state will suffer. So Tampa, Jacksonville, Lakeland and other cities need to support the Central Florida commuter rail project. Their economic outlook depends on it.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/paula-dockery-rail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-499711297464965892Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:41:00 +00002008-06-11T05:49:29.346-04:00BusinessHomegrowns stay homeYesterday, I wrote about the <a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-top-150.html">top companies in Orlando</a>. I included links to the <span style="font-style:italic;">Florida Trend</span> rankings of the top 150 publicly held and top 200 privately held companies in Florida. Of those 350 companies, 35 are headquartered in Orange, Osceola or Seminole Counties. (10 percent of the state total seemed low, but after checking population stats from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida, that's actually a bit higher than the proportionate population for the same area.) <br /><br />But here's the surprising stat. Of the 35 companies, only 11* are members of the Metro Orlando EDC, less than a third. The Orlando Chamber did slightly better. 15* of the companies on the list are Chamber members, but that's still less than half.<br /><br />I pass no judgement on any of the companies that don't participate in these groups, nor on the groups themselves. It just seemed like a disappointing stat. <a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/05/voxeo.html">As I wrote earlier</a>, maybe our region places too much attention on companies from elsewhere and not enough on our homegrown ones. Am I wrong?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">* Based on the published membership rosters of each organization.</span>http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-corporate-members.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-440883464493381243Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:33:00 +00002008-06-10T10:38:58.858-04:00EducationEducation is economic developmentFor all the talk about using tax incentives to lure out-of-state companies to Florida (or to keep local companies here), the key to economic development is education. Smart kids grow up to be smart employees. Plus, smart executives want to send their own children to smart schools. A high quality education system is needed to ensure Central Florida has high quality jobs. Which is why <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/orl-bk-fcat-scores-061008,0,6183531.story">today's news about FCAT scores</a> is good. But more investment in education is needed.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/fcat-scores.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-4427531127129428531Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:49:00 +00002008-06-10T08:30:54.577-04:00BusinessTop Orlando companies<span style="font-style:italic;">Florida Trend</span> recently published the <a href="http://www.floridatrend.com/toprank/html_lists/top_public.asp">top 150 public companies</a> in Florida, ranked by revenue. <a href="http://sticksoffire.com/2008/06/08/floridas-top-companies/">Sticks of Fire</a> just posted a list of Tampa Bay companies that made the list, so here's a list of Central Florida companies and their rank:<blockquote>12. Darden Restaurants, Inc.<br />15. International Assets Holding Corp.<br />23. AirTran Holdings, Inc.<br />29. Tupperware Brands, Corp.<br />62. Rotech Healthcare, Inc.<br />78. Ruth's Chris Steak House, Inc.<br />93. FARO Technologies, Inc.<br />95. National Retail Properties, Inc.<br />137. Gencor Industries, Inc.</blockquote>26 companies from Central Florida made the <a href="http://floridatrend.com/toprank/html_lists/topprivate200cos_2008.asp">top 200 list of private companies</a>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-top-150.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-708040137028413948Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:33:00 +00002008-06-09T15:36:31.760-04:00BusinessPublix: the official supermarket of FloridaWhy do <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2008/06/09/daily10.html?ana=from_rss">other supermarkets</a> even bother? Seriously, does anyone shop anywhere else besides Publix?http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/publix-official-supermarket-of-florida.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-7297629419072103202Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:44:00 +00002008-06-09T09:54:41.277-04:00TourismTransportationDisney-Las Vegas rail serviceIn a previous post I wrote about the competition between <a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-cvb.html">Orlando and Las Vegas</a> for tourism business. Related to that issue, John Frost at <a href="http://thedisneyblog.com/2008/06/07/mag-lev-train-from-las-vegas-to-disneyland-moving-forward/#comment-9452">The Disney Blog</a> wrote about plans for passenger rail service between Anaheim, home of Disneyland, and Las Vegas. This would not be good news for Orlando. <br /><br />When you compare Orlando and Las Vegas, the main advantage Orlando has is Walt Disney World. A rail system between Sin City and Disneyland would somewhat mitigate that advantage. Tourism promoters in Las Vegas could tout their casinos and market day trips to Disneyland. <br /><br />Of course, this news also emphasizes the need for Florida to develop <a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-commuter-rail.html">passenger rail</a><a href="http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-commuter-rail.html"> service</a> of its own, starting first with intra-city rail, then expanding to a statewide inter-city rail system, with Orlando-Miami the smartest route for the first leg.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/disney-rail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-96373923468799868Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:48:00 +00002008-06-06T14:20:33.824-04:00TransportationCommuter rail hearingsThe Central Florida Partnership, with Congressman John Mica, will host a <a href="http://www.centralfloridapartnership.org/index.php?src=events&submenu=about&srctype=detail&category=Meeting&refno=4">Regional Rally for Rail</a> to provide a status report and to demonstrate support for the proposed Central Florida <a href="http://www.cfrail.org/">commuter rail</a> system. The rally will be held Monday, June 9, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at:<blockquote>Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport<br />Ben Gurion Room<br />9300 Airport Boulevard<br />Orlando, FL 32827<br />(<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/9300+Airport+Boulevard+Orlando+FL+32827/">Map</a>)</blockquote>In addition to this rally, two commuter rail public hearings are planned next week. Both will be held on Thursday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m.<blockquote>Sanford City Hall <br />300 N. Park Avenue <br />Sanford, FL 32771 <br />(<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/300+N.+Park+Avenue+Sanford+FL+32771/">Map</a>) <br /><br />Homewood Suites by Hilton, Orlando North<br />290 Southhall Lane<br />Maitland, FL 32751<br />(<a href="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/290+Southhall+Lane+Maitland+FL+32751/">Map</a>)</blockquote>http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-commuter-rail.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-1221379119492100448Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:15:00 +00002008-06-06T07:25:17.161-04:00HealthProps to Orlando HealthCongrats to Orlando Health (<a href="http://www.orlandohealth.com/media/media_news_details.aspx?NewsID=534">formerly ORHS</a>.) Its children's hospital, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, has been ranked 26th for heart and heart surgery in <span style="font-style:italic;">U.S. News & World Report’s</span> 2008 edition of <a href="http://health.usnews.com/sections/health/best-childrens-hospitals">America’s Best Children’s Hospitals</a>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-health.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-9201392464557664449Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:43:00 +00002008-12-13T01:28:00.391-05:00TourismWhat happens in Magic Nation...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dy7lbq0LahE/SEhfZzv-zWI/AAAAAAAAAAc/1Ce3e-gAJ-k/s1600-h/OrlandoCVB.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Dy7lbq0LahE/SEhfZzv-zWI/AAAAAAAAAAc/1Ce3e-gAJ-k/s400/OrlandoCVB.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208517866046803298" /></a><br /><br />An article in the <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/jun/05/orlando-spikes-vegas-rivalry-humor/">Las Vegas Sun</a></span> mentions a new billboard in Las Vegas that was bought by the Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau. The billboard pokes fun at Las Vegas' slogan, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" while drawing attention to Orlando's distinction as a family-friendly destination. I like that the Orlando CVB is playing to Central Florida's strengths, instead of trying to be something we're not. We're not Las Vegas, and that's a good thing. <br /><br />(h/t <a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2008/06/orlando-gets-ve.html">Tourism Central Florida</a>)http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-cvb.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-8256079188869163265Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:47:00 +00002008-06-04T17:08:16.609-04:00BlogsCentral Florida blogsHere are links to some Central Florida blogs. Links are also listed on the right sidebar.<br /><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community_altamonte_blog/">Altamonte Springs</a><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community_altamonte_blog/"> Blog</a><br /><a href="http://www.orlandoweekly.com/blog/default.asp">Bloggytown</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community_conway_blog/">Chris Gent's Blog</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/community_downtown_blog/">Downtown Orlando Blog</a><br /><a href="http://www.empiricalpolk.com/">Empirical Polk</a><br /><a href="http://greenorlando.com/">Green Orlando</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/">Political Pulse</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/">Taking Names</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_thebottomline/">The Bottom Line</a><br /><a href="http://thedisneyblog.com/">The Disney Blog</a><br /><a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/">Tourism Central Florida</a><br /><br />If you know of any others, let me know.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/central-florida-blogs.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-2666447531233971604Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:30:00 +00002008-06-04T09:31:07.732-04:00BusinessLights outHere's a quick link to more news about <a href="http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2008/06/crists-friends.html">rising electric bills</a>. The story, reported by the <span style="font-style:italic;">Miami Herald</span>, includes this quote from FPL's President Armando J. Olivera:<blockquote>"We recognize that higher electric bills will be a burden on our customers. We never like having to increase the price customers pay for electricity, and it's especially painful during difficult economic times. However, the increase in fuel prices that we have been experiencing is extraordinary."</blockquote>http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/florida-power-light.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-2897583164566370052Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:21:00 +00002008-06-02T13:39:27.940-04:00EconomicsBad news comes in threesToday's newspaper bears news of <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed02208jun02,0,1320957.story">high gas prices</a>, <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfbkassab0208jun02,0,1893683.column">increasing electric bills</a> and <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-taxroll0208jun02,0,2521653.story">possible tax hikes</a>. Three separate articles on the same day. That's not good news for residents of Central Florida. And it certainly makes it harder to sell Orlando as a site for corporate relocation or expansion. We used to be able to tout our low cost-of-living (low taxes, housing, etc.) Not so anymore. Maybe that's the reason for our <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfbeconindex0208jun02,0,4430163.story">slow economic growth</a>, which also was reported today in the <span style="font-style:italic;">Orlando Sentinel</span>. Consumer-based economies depend on consumption. It's hard for consumers to consume when more and more money is needed for gas, electric bills, housing, taxes, etc. <br /><br />When's it going to end?http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/progress-energy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-6402826451844864300Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:02:00 +00002008-06-01T18:19:12.564-04:00TransportationWekiva ParkwayAn article in the <span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/saturday/orl-wekivajump3108may31,0,1415496.story">Orlando Sentinel</a></span> yesterday provided a status report for the Wekiva Parkway, the missing section of a much-needed beltway in Central Florida. The route of the parkway seems to be determined, though public input will still be solicited this summer. But how to pay for the project remains a question. As the article reported, neither the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority nor Florida's Turnpike Enterprise have the bonding capacity to build the project anytime soon. Inexplicably, a third option, public-private partnership, is identified as unlikely in the article.<blockquote>"Another option -- allowing private investors to build and operate the parkway -- is seen as a less likely option."</blockquote><br />The owning and operation of toll roads has not yet happened in Florida, but it will someday. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/us/10texas.html?adxnnl=1&ref=us&adxnnlx=1202621164-Ah+jZ/Wb1aYEeFq6GbCLIQ<br />">Texas is leading the nation</a> in public-private toll projects, and Florida soon will follow. Government agencies in this state do not have the revenue flow to keep pace with growth. Sooner or later, private toll roads will be a reality. Why not start with the Wekiva Parkway. The sooner we get this road built, the better.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/06/orlando-expressway.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-1288085862755804019Fri, 30 May 2008 19:53:00 +00002008-05-30T16:55:04.604-04:00BusinessMetro Central Orlando Florida Entrepreneurial Economic and Visitors Partnership BureauIn her blog, <a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_thebottomline/2008/05/economic-develo.html">The Bottom Line</a>, Beth Kassab continues her criticism of the "newly" formed <a href="http://www.centralfloridapartnership.org/">Central Florida Partnership</a>. Personally, I think there is a need for the new organization, and I believe it can coexist with other groups with similar-but-different missions such as the <a href="http://www.orlandoedc.com/">Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission</a>, the <a href="http://www.orlandoinfo.com/">Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau</a> and the <a href="http://disneyec.com/">Disney Entrepreneur Center</a>. I hope the CFP will drive public policy discussion about important issues like commuter rail, education and growth management - and leave the economic, tourism and start-up development to those other groups.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I think the rollout of the CFP could have been handled in a more open, less contrived manner. For example, I was at the meeting in which the old chamber voted to create the new partnership, and I thought it was strange that in a crowded room, the member who made the motion and the member who seconded the motion both had microphones in hand. That's quite a coincidence. I wanted to second the motion, but I neglected to bring my microphone.<br /><br />My bottom line: The CFP is very much needed in this region, but if the CFP wants to shape <span style="font-style:italic;">public</span> policy, it would be best to include the <span style="font-style:italic;">public</span>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/05/central-florida-partnership.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5425486441853259743.post-6210489040913431169Wed, 28 May 2008 13:11:00 +00002008-05-28T09:14:33.721-04:00EducationHealthMaybe they study on their sick daysNews reports offer good and bad news for Florida. Our kids are <a href="http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080528/NEWS/805280315/1018/NEWS02">smart</a>, but <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/health/orl-childrenhealth2808may28,0,2379127.story">not healthy</a>.http://www.inmagicnation.com/2008/05/maybe-they-study-on-their-sick-days.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bob)0